Constantly being bombarded with endless ads to switch to different cellphone carriers or buy a new phone, all of which is irrelevant where I live (rural SW NH), if I want real coverage it's Verizon or US Cell...period. Then I see an ad for a new US Cell 'no contract' unlimited talk/text and 2 Gig data for $60. This sends me to their local store where I find that they conveniently omit that this is a prepay plan, which means exceed the 2 Gig and they throttle you to 1X. That's OK I don't use much data, but it also means you, in real terms, get virtually no data when you roam, which does matter. I've been off contract for years and been paying $50 for 1100 mins, no text + $25 for 2 Gig data, which after taxes and bogus fees = $83.50 per month. But all is not lost, I'm told, this bonus, that bonus for not buying a new phone and I can have unlimited talk, unlimited text and that 2 Gig data ...if I sign a new 2 yr contract...with this reduced rate for the first year (after that come back and haggle) for...$50. Considering my options...done. So moral one of the story, if you're in New England and using US Cell, now's the time to dicker. Competition works !
Then I come home to find a letter from Time Warner, My last promotional deal is ending: I have Cable, HBO, Showtime and 2 HD settop boxes (braindead not DVRs) plus Turbo Net (around 30 down/2 up) which is $151 per month. The letter says out of the goodness of their hearts they will ONLY jack me to $168 instead of the $187 I really should be paying, starting next month. Reminder of what happens sans any real competition.
Then I come home to find a letter from Time Warner, My last promotional deal is ending: I have Cable, HBO, Showtime and 2 HD settop boxes (braindead not DVRs) plus Turbo Net (around 30 down/2 up) which is $151 per month. The letter says out of the goodness of their hearts they will ONLY jack me to $168 instead of the $187 I really should be paying, starting next month. Reminder of what happens sans any real competition.